Doha Film Festival Launches with Star-Studded Lineup and 97 Films
The inaugural Doha Film Festival is set to take place from November 20 to 28, 2023, featuring an impressive lineup of special guests and a diverse selection of films. Notable attendees include acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, actress Michaela Coel, and actor Ramy Youssef, all of whom will be present for a special screening of the film The Christophers, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Multiple special screenings are planned, showcasing films such as Re-Creation by Jim Sheridan, Shoot the People by Andy Mundy-Castle, and My Story by Yasser Ashour. The festival will also host the world premiere of the Qatari feature film Sa3oud Wainah, directed by Mohammed Al-Ibrahim and produced by Katara Studios.
International Presence and Film Selection
The festival has attracted a wide range of international talent, including Turkish stars Engin Altan Duzyatan and Hazal Kaya, veteran Kuwaiti actor Jassim Al Nabhan, and Tunisian-Egyptian actress Dorra Zarrouk. Palestinian actors Saleh Bakri and Hiam Abbas, who feature in Palestine 36, are also on the guest list.
With a total of 97 films from 62 countries, the festival promises a rich cinematic experience. The International Competition will award more than $300,000 in prize money and will include 13 titles from around the world, such as Once Upon a Time in Gaza, The President’s Cake, and Cotton Queen.
The festival, organized by the Doha Film Institute, builds on the success of the Ajyal Film Festival, which focused on family-oriented programming for over a decade. Events will take place at various locations across Doha, including the Katara Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Opening Film and Talks Program
The festival will commence with a screening of The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. This poignant film addresses the tragic killing of a young Palestinian girl by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip earlier in 2024. The film was a recipient of the Doha Film Institute’s grants program, underscoring the festival’s commitment to impactful storytelling.
In addition to film screenings, the festival will feature a robust talks program that includes influential speakers such as former MSNBC journalist Mehdi Hassan, Palestinian rights advocate Rahma Zein, and Emmy-nominated journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin. Artists like Yasiin Bey, Dana Al Fardan, and Khalid Albaih will also participate, along with industry experts such as Sylvia Zakhary and Ahmed Al Baker.
Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute and festival director, stated, “At the heart of Doha Film Festival is connection, from spontaneous conversations to the emotions we share, and the ways cinema reminds us of our humanity.” She emphasized the festival’s role in showcasing Qatar’s expanding creative ambitions and its belief in cinema’s power to unite and inspire.
As the festival approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a significant cultural event, highlighting both local and international cinema while providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration among filmmakers and audiences alike.
